Maputo - The 5-star Polana Serena Hotel in Maputo has recently emerged from an extensive renovation programme, which has resulted in the preservation of a landmark historic building whose classic charm remains a centre of attraction in Mozambique.
Popular with locals and foreigners – both for business and leisure – the Polana has long been considered one of Africa’s finest hotels.
And as guest relations manager, Chrisotomo Sengulane, proudly says: “It is the grande dame of hotels in Africa.”
Built in 1922, the Polana Serena Hotel belongs to a class of world-famous luxury hotels, which include such legends as Raffles Hotel in Singapore, The Dorchester in London and The Ritz in Paris.
Located on the leafy boulevards of one of Maputo’s most exclusive residential districts, the Polana is now a protected building and only limited additions may be effected from now on, said Sengulane.
Offering 142 rooms, many of which are spacious suites, the “grande dame” of Maputo now also offers a choice between the all-day dining Varanda Restaurant; the Delagoa fine-dining experience in the French style; the Aquarius Sushi Bar; and the Polana Bar, says Ilda Tomas, a sales representative at the hotel.
“The Varanda overlooks the main swimming pool and offers buffet and à la carte choices,” she said.
“The Delagoa restaurant features a pre-dinner cocktail lounge, private dining room inside and terrace seating, and a menu showcasing classical French cuisine and Portuguese flavours.
“The Aquarius Restaurant and bar serves all-day snacks, grills, salads and sushi, while the Polana Bar serves morning coffee, light lunches, afternoon tea and a wide variety of cocktails. The Polana residents’ lounge has a an all-day brasserie service.”
While leisure or tourist guests are on the increase in Mozambique, the hotel still prides itself as the place of choice for many business people who arrive in Mozambique, Tomas said. “Tourism is growing, but what we have realised here is that most visitors who come to Mozambique for leisure, prefer to go to the islands, meaning we are left with mostly business and government visitors who make up the bulk of our customers,” she said.
During the week the Pretoria News visited the hotel, President Jacob Zuma accompanied by ministers, government officials and business people had been in Maputo and stayed at the Polana.
“We had a large South African contingent here from the president and officials to his security detail, but we are able to cater for such visitors because of the flexibility of our facilities and the fact that we recently refurbished,” he said.
The hotel boasts 19 studio rooms, 50 standard rooms, 47 deluxe rooms, 16 executive rooms, nine executive suites and the main presidential suite, which Zuma used.
Tomas said that apart from the rooms and the restaurants, the Polana had a more than adequate business centre offering private board rooms, office space and 24-hour global connectivity.
Explaining other features, Sengulane said: “The hotel offers an elegantly presented ballroom that can accommodate 350 guests with banqueting facilities for up to 500 guests, and a range of four meeting and boardrooms with full audio-visual facilities.”
The hotel also offers the Maisha Mind Body and Spirit Health Club and Spa, a stunning swimming pool, extensive gardens, an exclusive residents’ lounge, a beauty salon and three gift shops.
The spa offers its own secluded courtyard garden, juice bar, hair and beauty salon, well-equipped gymnasium, aerobics studio, tennis courts, massage and treatment rooms, and a 15m swimming pool (in addition to the main hotel pool).
Situated not more than 20 minutes from the airport, the hotel is located at the very heart of Maputo on one of the city’s most prestigious avenues and within easy reach of the international embassies, government buildings, presidential complex, shops, restaurants and sidewalk cafés.
l Jos Charle’s trip to Mozambique was courtesy of the Serena Polana Hotel and South African Airways
Jos Charle, Pretoria News